Improved electro-magnetic amalgamator for gold and silver



tbtted giants ALMARIN B.PAUL, OF SAN FRANCISC, CALIFORNIA.

Letters Patent No. 90,

777, dated June l, 1869.

IMPROVED ELECTRO-MAGNETIC AMALG-AMATOR FOR GOLD AND SILVER The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent. and making part of the same.

.Know all meu by these presents:

That I, ALMARIN B. PAUL, of San Francisco, Galifornia, have made a new and useful invention in the amalgamating of gold and silver, and separating of the precious from the baser metals, and which I call Panls Electro-Magnetic Amalgamator and Separator.

The following, taken together with drawings and iigures, with letters attached, is a t'ull and correct descript-ion thereof.

The nat-ure of my improvement consists in separating the baser from the precious metals by electricity and magnetic action, and in amalgamating the precious metals thereafter, from ores in a finely-pulverized and dry state, by means of a simple horizontal glass or 'earthen barrel, or cylinder of any given size, and the addition of mercury.

To enable others skilled in the art to understand and use the invention, and the process 'of amalgama-v tion therewith, I will proceed to describe the same.

A, Figure 1, is a horizontal hollow glass or earthen cylinder, or barrel, supported on its hollow axles vby means of'suitablc bearings.

B B are the hollow glass or earthen trunnions, through which the electric wires are passed, one end being connected with the positive, the other with the negative pole of the electric battery, and the other ends are introduced into the cylinder. y

C C'are magnets, placed on the inside of barrel, and

arranged in plates, so as to point to the centre ol' the barrel, fox-'the purpose of acting magnetically upon the ores. I

During the introduction of electricity, the ore is kept free ot` mercury, and either end of the hollow shaft, or trunnions, is left open, for the expulsion of dampness or fumes during chemical action." As soon as the ore has been fully acted upon, and ready for amalgamation, the electric current is withdrawn, and the mercury introduced, through an opening in thc barrel, a

suitable opening being made Aon the side or end of barrel, for receiving the ore, and discharging the same,

which is now taken and separated by settlers,77 as ore impregnated with mercury is ordinarily separated. An adjustable cover is used for said opening. On one of the axles is a pulley, for giving a rotary motion to the barrel.

The progress of amalgamation with the above-described apparatus is as follows, Viz:

The metalliferous, or finely-pulverized,ore is4 placed in theglass or earthen cylinder A, in such a quantity as to occupy less depth than one-half of its diameter. The opening is then closed. The electric current is then put on, (the conducting-wires being already introduced through the trunnions.) The barrel is then set in motion, at a fair speed, the moisture and fumes escaping through the hollow trunnions, or axles B B.

After the period of, say, one hour or more, agreeable to the rebellious character of the ore, the electricity is withdrawn, and mercury is introduced, in a large quantity, say from thirty-three to fifty per cent. of weight ot' ore, according to richness in the precious metals. The amalgamation now begins, and goes on by the revolution of the barrel and its contents, by which the mercury is thoroughly subdivided and incorporated with the ore.

Fig. 1, barrel.

A, barrel.

B B, trunnions, or hollow axles.

O, driving-pulley.

D D D D, electric wires.

E, magnets.

F, opening.

G, metallic bands, or hoops.

barrels, for the purpose ot' acting magnetically upon ores during separation and amalgamation.

4 The amalgamation of pulverized ore, in a dry or wet condition, with mercury, in glass or earthen barrels, or cylinders.

San Francisco, California, March 5, 1869.

ALMARIN B. PAUL. Witnesses: l

- GEO. E. Roenes,

MATHEW R. STIRLING. 

